Maintaining user authenticaitons with common trusted devices

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method, and other techniques to maintain user authentications with common trusted devices. If a user is in possession of a first computing device (e.g., a smartphone), an unlocked state of the first trusted device is maintained if the user is using a nearby trusted device (e.g., a computer) within a certain amount of time. If the first trusted device is in a pocket or other container, a longer span of time is granted to the user to register an on-body state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/219,922, filed on Sep. 17, 2015, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Many people own or use multiple electronic devices, such as personalcomputers, smartphones, tablet computers, and the like. Each of thesedevices may be configured to require authentication before they areunlocked for use; this authentication may include a password, pattern,fingerprint, other biometric information, or similar authenticationinformation. The user may opt to require this authentication (e.g., fora personal device), or it may be required by an employer or other agency(e.g., for a work device). Selecting, maintaining, remembering, andentering this authentication information may, however, be time-consumingand frustrating for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate example embodiments of computingenvironments for maintaining user authentication with a trusted device;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a computing device formaintaining user authentication with a trusted device;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a trusted device;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of a computing device havinglocked and unlocked states;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate example embodiments of methods for maintaininguser authentication with a trusted device; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an example storage medium that includes instructionsfor maintaining user authentication with a trusted device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In various embodiments, when a user of a computing device such as asmartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, wearable computer, orsimilar device is using another trusted device such as a smartphone,tablet computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, network-connectedlock, network-connected door, network-connected light, or similar deviceproximate to the computing device, one device may use the other tomaintain user presence and reduce or eliminate the number ofre-authentication procedures required for either or both devices. Thecomputing device may time-out, activate a lock screen, and requirere-authentication after a certain amount of time (e.g., two minutes) ofno use (e.g., no received keyboard, touchscreen, voice, or other userinput), while the trusted device may time-out after the same ordifferent period of time (e.g., fifteen minutes) of no use. Maintaininguser presence and reducing the number of re-authentication proceduresrequired may lead to a more enjoyable and less frustrating userexperience as well as increased security—the user may be encouraged tomaintain longer, more diverse, and therefore more secure passwords ifthe user is not required to enter them repeatedly.

In various embodiments, if the devices are proximate to each other andthe user is providing input to, carrying, or otherwise using one device(e.g., either the computing device or the trusted device) at least onceevery two minutes (or whatever the time-out time of the computing deviceis), the devices communicate such that the idle device that wouldotherwise time-out and lock remains authenticated and open to the user.In other words, the computing device may remain unlocked while the useris using the trusted device, and/or the trusted device may remainunlocked while the user is using the computing device (subject to, insome embodiments, the conditions and requirements described herein). Forillustrative purposes, some of the embodiments described herein refer tothe use of a smartphone as the computing device and of a personalcomputer as the trusted device, but the embodiments are not limited toonly these devices or to only the use of two devices—one of skill in theart will understand that the scope of the embodiments extends to anynumber of any kind of devices.

In some embodiments, the computing device also or in addition detectswhether it has been placed in a clothing pocket, carrying case, armband, or similar compartment in or on a clothing article, other articleworn by the user, or other accessory (such as a purse, backpack, orother bag). The computing device may further detect if it is simplycovered (i.e., out of a line of sight of the user and/or third party)by, for example, paper, folders, cloth, or any other article. As theterms are used herein, “container” or “pocket” refers to any object thatwholly or partially obstructs the computing device from view.

If a length of time greater than that of the computing device and/ortrusted device time-out time elapses without user input to eitherdevice, embodiments may thereafter check to see if the computing deviceis present in the user's pocket; if so, the computing device may checkfor an on-body state (i.e., held, carried, or otherwise present on thebody of the user) for another length of time (e.g., five minutes). Ifthe computing device detects that it is not present in a pocket of theuser after the time-out time of the smartphone elapses, the computingdevice may lock or may check for an on-body state for another length oftime (e.g., thirty seconds) thereafter (i.e., the computing device isnot in a pocket but is being held by the user). The computing device mayremain unlocked for any length of time while it is in the user's pocketand/or being held.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate various embodiments of computingenvironments 100, 150, 160 in accordance with embodiments describedherein. Referring to FIG. 1A, a computing device 102 is proximate to atrusted device 104 and separated by a distance 106. As mentioned above,the computing device 102 may be smartphone, tablet computer, wearablecomputer, laptop computer, or similar device; the trusted device may bea smartphone, tablet computer, desktop computer, laptop computer,network-connected lock, network-connected door, network-connected light,or similar device. The distance 106 may be any distance; in someembodiments, the distance is 0-15 feet. In some embodiments, asdescribed in greater detail below, the maximum distance 106 varies basedon user preference, organizational security policy, or presence of thedevices 102, 104 in a trusted or untrusted environment.

In the environment 100 of FIG. 1A, the devices 102, 104 are connecteddirectly together via a direct network link 108. The network link 108may use any networking protocol known in the art; in variousembodiments, the network link 108 comprises BLUETOOTH, BLUETOOTH LOWENERGY, infrared, direct WI-FI, or near-field communication. The networklink 108 may be activated manually by the user of the computing device102 and/or trusted device 104 or may activate automatically when thedevices 102, 104 are proximate to each other (e.g., when the devices102, 104 are within 15 feet of each other). In some embodiments, theuser activates the network link 108 manually one time, and the directlink 108 activates automatically thereafter.

FIG. 1B illustrates a computing environment 150 in accordance withembodiments described herein. In computing environment 150, thecomputing device 102 and trusted device 104 are separated by a distance106 and communicate with a network device 110 over respective networklinks 112, 114. The network device 110 may be, for example, a wired orwireless router, switch, access point, or any other such device; thenetwork links 112, 114 may be any wired or wireless link, such as WI-FI,ETHERNET, or other such protocol. In one example, the computing device102 is a smartphone and communicates with the network device 110, whichmay be a wireless router, over a WI-FI link 112, and the trusted device104 is a desktop computer and communicates with the network device 110over an ETHERNET link 114.

FIG. 1C illustrates a computing environment 160 in accordance withembodiments described herein. In this environment 160, the computingdevice 102 and trusted device 104 are separated by a distance 106 andcommunicate with different network devices 116, 118 over respectivenetwork links 120, 122. The network devices 116, 118 communicate via anetwork link 124, which may include additional network devices or othernetwork infrastructure. In one example, the computing device 102 is asmartphone and communicates with the network device 116, which may be acellular tower or similar transmitter, over a cellular-network link 120,and the trusted device 104 is a desktop computer and communicates withthe network device 118 using an ETHERNET link 122.

FIG. 2 illustrates a computing device 200 in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein. The computing device 200 may include a processor 202,non-volatile storage 204, volatile storage 206, one or more inputdevices 208, one or more output devices 210, one or more sensors 212, anetwork interface 214, and any other components or features, which maycommunicate via a link 216. The processor 202 may be any type ofprocessing circuit such as a central-processing unit, digital-signalprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit, or similarprocessor, and may include one or units, cores, or co-processors, someor all of which may operate in a low-power mode. The non-volatilestorage 204 may be any magnetic hard disk drive, solid-state hard diskdriver, flash memory, or similar non-volatile storage or removable mediasuch as a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive. The volatile storage 206 may berandom-access memory such as DDR memory, read-only memory, or any othertype of memory. The input device(s) 208 may include a keyboard, mouse,touchscreen, microphone, or any other similar input device. The outputdevice(s) 210 may include a display such as an LCD monitor, atouchscreen, a speaker, a vibration generator, or any other similaroutput device. The sensor(s) 212 may include a light sensor, a camera,an orientation sensor such as a gyroscope, a motion sensor, a proximitysensor, a heart-rate sensor (which may include an optical sensor and/ora bioimpedance sensor), an accelerometer, or any other similar sensor.The network interface 214 may include a cellular transceiver, a WI-FItransceiver, a BLUETOOTH transceiver, an ETHERNET transceiver, or anyother similar network interface. The link 216 may be any system bus,interconnect, network link, or similar link.

The volatile storage 206 may be used to store instructions to beexecuted by the processor 202, conceptually illustrated as a group ofcomponents. These components generally include an operating system 218(e.g., a Microsoft WINDOWS, Linux, ANDROID, APPLE IOS, or APPLE OS Xoperating system) that directs the execution of low-level, basic systemfunctions (such as memory allocation, file management, and the operationof mass storage devices), as well as higher-level application routines220. The various components may be programmed in any suitableprogramming language, including, without limitation high-level languagessuch as C, C++, Java, Perl, Python, or Ruby or low-level assemblylanguages. The volatile storage 204 may further store input and/oroutput data associated with execution of the instructions as well asadditional information used by the various application routines 220.

The application routines 220 may be stored on the non-volatile storage204 and loaded into the volatile storage 206 for execution as needed. Invarious embodiments, the application routines 220 include auser-authentication component 222, an in-container detection component224, an on-body detection component 226, a proximity detection component228, and/or an activity-detection component 230 (which may include atimer 232). Each of these components are explained in greater detailbelow. One of skill in the art will understand, however, that the numberand division of components 222-230 is not limiting, and thefunctionality of the components 222-230 may be combined into fewercomponents or divided into more components. The components 222-230 maybe installed in the non-volatile storage 204 by any means, such as bydownloading an application or “app” from an app store such as the GOOGLEPLAY STORE or APPLE ITUNES STORE and/or from a website, by transfer froma non-volatile medium such as a disk, CD, or DVD, or by any other means.

FIG. 3 illustrates a trusted device 300 in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein. Like the computing device 200, the trusted device 300may include a processor 302, non-volatile storage 304, volatile storage306, one or more input devices 308, one or more output devices 310, anetwork interface 314, and any other components or features, which maycommunicate via a link 316. The processor 302 may be any type ofprocessing circuit such as a central-processing unit, digital-signalprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit, or similarprocessor, and may include one or units, cores, or co-processors, someor all of which may operate in a low-power mode. The non-volatilestorage 304 may be any magnetic hard disk drive, solid-state hard diskdriver, flash memory, or similar non-volatile storage or removable mediasuch as a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive. The volatile storage 306 may berandom-access memory such as DDR memory, read-only memory, or any othertype of memory. The input device(s) 308 may include a keyboard, mouse,touchscreen, microphone, or any other similar input device. The outputdevice(s) 310 may include a display such as an LCD monitor, atouchscreen, a speaker, or any other similar output device. The networkinterface 314 may include a cellular transceiver, a WI-FI transceiver, aBLUETOOTH transceiver, an ETHERNET transceiver, or any other similarnetwork interface. The link 316 may be any system bus, interconnect,network link, or similar link.

The trusted device 300 may differ from the computing device 200 in thatthe trusted device 300 may not include one or more of the sensor(s) 212included in the computing device 200. In particular, if the trusteddevice 300 is a desktop computer, laptop computer, or network-connecteddoor, lock, or light, the trusted device 300 may not include a lightsensor, motion sensor, accelerometer, orientation sensor, or othersimilar sensor normally associated with mobile devices such assmartphones and tablets. Embodiments described herein are not limitedonly to trusted devices 300 that lack these sensors, however, and inother embodiments, the trusted device 300 is a mobile device similar tothe computing device 200.

The volatile storage 306 may be used to store instructions to beexecuted by the processor 302, conceptually illustrated as a group ofcomponents. These components generally include an operating system 318(e.g., a Microsoft WINDOWS, Linux, ANDROID, APPLE IOS, or APPLE OS Xoperating system) that directs the execution of low-level, basic systemfunctions (such as memory allocation, file management, and the operationof mass storage devices), as well as higher-level application routines320. The various components may be programmed in any suitableprogramming language, including, without limitation high-level languagessuch as C, C++, Java, Perl, Python, or Ruby or low-level assemblylanguages. The volatile storage 304 may further store input and/oroutput data associated with execution of the instructions as well asadditional information used by the various application routines 320.

The application routines 320 may be stored on the non-volatile storage304 and loaded into the volatile storage 306 for execution as needed. Invarious embodiments, the application routines 320 include auser-authentication component 322, a proximity detection component 328,and/or an activity-detection component 330 (which may include a timer332). Each of these components are explained in greater detail below.One of skill in the art will understand, however, that the number anddivision of components 322-332 is not limiting, and the functionality ofthe components 322-332 may be combined into fewer components or dividedinto more components. The components 322-332 may be installed in thenon-volatile storage 304 by any means, such as by downloading anapplication or “app” from an app store such as the GOOGLE PLAY STORE orAPPLE ITUNES STORE and/or from a website, by transfer from anon-volatile medium such as a disk, CD, or DVD, or by any other means.

As used in this application, the terms “system” and “component” areintended to refer to a hardware and/or software device in which digitalprocessing is carried out, examples of which are provided by thisdepicted exemplary processing architecture. For example, a component canbe, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processorcomponent, the processor component itself, a storage device (e.g., ahard disk drive, multiple storage drives in an array, etc.) that mayemploy an optical and/or magnetic storage medium, a software object, anexecutable sequence of instructions, a thread of execution, a program,and/or an entire device (e.g., an entire computer). One or morecomponents can reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and acomponent may be localized on one device and/or distributed between twoor more devices. Further, components may be communicatively coupled toeach other by various types of communications media to coordinateoperations.

With reference to both FIGS. 2 and 3, in various embodiments, theuser-authentication component 222 authenticates the user to thecomputing device 200 by prompting the user for authenticationinformation. Similarly, the user-authentication component 322 mayauthenticate the user to the trusted device 300. The authenticationinformation may be a password, passcode, pattern, fingerprint, voiceprint, image, or any other similar authentication information. Theuser-authentication component 222, 322 may activate the prompt inresponse to the user pressing an input device 208, 308 such as a key orbutton, in response to a voice command from the user as sensed by asensor 212, in response to the user picking up the device 200 asdetected by a sensor 212, or by any other such action. Theuser-authentication component 222, 322 may then compare theauthentication information to previously-entered authenticationinformation and, if the received authentication information matches thestored authentication information, unlock the computing device 200and/or trusted device 300. Unlocking the computing device 200 and/ortrusted device 300 may include transitioning a display of the computingdevice 200 and/or trusted device 300 from a locked state to an unlockedstate, an example of which appears below.

The in-container detection component 224 may determine whether thecomputing device 200 is disposed in a container by collectinginformation from one or more of the sensor(s) 212, such as a lightsensor, camera, proximity sensor, accelerometer, and/or orientationsensor. For example, the in-container detection component 224 may reportthat the computing device 200 is present in a container if its lightsensor reports a light level below a threshold (e.g., five lumens), ifits proximity sensor reports an object proximate within a threshold(e.g., five millimeters), and/or an orientation that correlates to thecomputing device 200 being held in a pocket (e.g., within five degreesof horizontal).

In some embodiments, the in-container detection component 224distinguishes between the computing device 200 being placed in acontainer and the computing device 200 simply being placed face-down ona surface (or otherwise having a sensor 212 positioned such that iterroneously reports information suggesting that it is placed in acontainer). If, for example, the light sensor is on a front face of thecomputing device 200, the light sensor may report a low level of lightconsistent with the computing device 200 being placed in a container ifthe computing device 200 is placed face-down on a surface.

In some embodiments, other sensors 212 are used to corroborate thecontainer status if one or more sensors are known to report sucherroneous results. If the light sensor reports a low level of light, forexample, the in-container detection component 224 may check theorientation of the phone and report a non-container status if theorientation is horizontal and face-down.

The history of data collected from the sensor(s) 212 may further be usedto determine whether the computing device 200 is disposed in acontainer. For example, the orientation sensor history may be used todetermine if the computing device 200 was in a vertical orientation (ornearly vertical) prior to the light sensor reporting a drop in lightreceived—corresponding to the user orienting the computing device 200vertically to place it in his or her pocket.

In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to detecting whether thecomputing device 200 is disposed in the pocket of the user, thein-container detection component 224 detects whether the smartphone hasbeen placed on a surface such as a desk using, for example, orientationsensors or systems and if it is receiving vibrations generated by theuser, such as vibrations from handwriting. The in-container detectioncomponent 224 may wait for a particular amount of time (e.g., fiveminutes) to determine if vibrations are occurring; if not, the computingdevice 200 is locked. In some embodiments, if the computing device 200is in a public or heavily-trafficked location, this feature is disableddue to too much background vibration from third-party sources.

The on-body detection component 226 may receive data from an on-bodydetection sensor, which may be a sensor 212, to determine if thecomputing device 200 is disposed on the body of the user. For example, asensor 212 may be a motion sensor, accelerometer, and/or gyroscope, andthe on-body detection component 226 determines that the computing device200 is disposed on the body of the user if motion, acceleration, orother movement is sensed within a certain time (for example, fiveminutes). A sensor 212 may instead or in addition be a heart-ratesensor; the heart-rate sensor may detect the heart rate of the user by,for example, reflecting and/or transmitting light from and/or throughthe body of the user and sensing the reflected and/or transmitted lightor by measuring the bioresistance of the body of the user by, forexample, transmitting a current through the skin of the user with one ormore electrodes. If the heart rate of the user is sensed within acertain time (for example, five minutes), the on-body detectioncomponent 226 determines that the computing device 200 is disposed onthe body of the user. Any type of sensor 212 may be used as the on-bodydetection sensor, however, and the embodiments described herein are notlimited to any type of sensor 212.

In some embodiments, the proximity-detection component 228, 328determines if the computing device 200 and the trusted device 300 areproximate to each other (within, e.g., 0-15 feet) based on a networkconnection therebetween. The proximate state of the devices may bedetected, for example, by a successful direct connection therebetween ofa limited-range networking protocol as depicted in FIG. 1A or byconnection to a common network, as depicted in FIG. 1B. In otherembodiments, the proximity-detection component 228 determines that thedevices are proximate by determining the location of the devices using,for example, global-positioning system data, cellular-towertriangulation, or by any other means; these methods may be used when thecomputing device 200 and trusted device 300 are connected to differentnetwork devices, as depicted in FIG. 1C.

In some embodiments, if the proximity-detection component 228, 328determines that the computing device 200 is proximate to a trusteddevice 300, one or both of the devices 200, 300 are automaticallyunlocked. In some embodiments, one device is automatically unlocked whenthe user unlocks the other device; in other embodiments, both devices200, 300 are automatically unlocked when they are proximate to eachother.

In some embodiments, the proximity requirement of the computing device200 and trusted device 300 varies based on the context of the devicesand whether they are placed in a trusted or vulnerable environment. Forexample, the proximity-detection component 228 may detect or be informed(e.g., by the user or a system administrator) that the devices aredisposed in a trusted environment such as a workplace or privatedomicile. In these cases, the proximity requirement may be relaxed suchthat the devices are deemed proximate if they are relatively (e.g.,fifteen feet) close. In vulnerable environments such as cafes, parks,libraries, and similar public or shared spaces, however, the proximityrequirement may be lessened to, for example, five feet. In someembodiments, the proximity requirement defaults to the public setting(e.g., five feet) unless and until set to a greater one by the user orsystem administrator.

In some embodiments, the proximity-detection component 228 detects ifthe computing device 200 and trusted device 300 become separated by adistance greater than a threshold distance (e.g., fifteen feet) andtherefore lock the computing device 200 and/or trusted device 300. Thesmartphone application and/or proximity-detection component 228 maysimilarly lock the computing device 200 and/or trusted device 300 if anacceleration of the smartphone exceeds a threshold, implying that athird party has maliciously snatched the computing device 200 from thedesk, pocket, or person of the user, even if the distance between thecomputing device 200 and trusted device 300 has not yet exceeded thethreshold. Similarly, the proximity-detection component 228 may lock thecomputing device 200 and/or trusted device 300 if a behavior pattern ofuse of either device does not match a behavior pattern of the user,implying that someone other than the user is using the device.

The activity-detection component 230, 330 may detect and monitoractivity of the user with respect to the computing device 200 and/ortrusted device 300. As the user interacts with either or both devices200, 300 (including periods of time in which the user does not interactwith either device 200, 300), the activity-detection component 230, 330tracks a length of time since a last interaction using a timer 232, 332.The interaction may be, for example, pressing a keyboard key, moving amouse, touching or gesturing on a touchscreen, or other such input. Eachdevice 200, 300 may have a time-out time; if the length of time sincethe last interaction exceeds this time, the activity-detection component230, 330 transitions a display of the device 200, 300 from an unlockedto a locked state. The time-out times of the devices 200, 300 may be thesame or different. In some embodiments, the time-out time of thecomputing device 200 is shorter than that of the trusted device 300(e.g., the time-out time of the computing device 200 may be two minutes,while the time-out time of the trusted device may be fifteen minutes).

The above-mentioned thresholds and timespans may be predetermined; insome embodiments, the thresholds and timespans are developed via userfeedback and adjustment (i.e., machine learning). The thresholds andtimespans may be the same for all users, for groups of users (groupedby, for example, type of use (business or personal), user sex or gender,user language, user region or country, or any other grouping) or setindividually for each user. If one source of sensor data (e.g., theorientation sensor) proves to be a less reliable indication of thein-pocket state of the computing device 200, that source may be ignoredor its emphasis lessened (by, e.g., applying a smaller weighting factorthan data from other sources).

The in-container detection component 224, on-body detection component226, and/or other components may monitor one or more sensors 212 in alow-power mode of the processor 202. In various embodiments, thelow-power mode entails the use of a low-power processor, co-processor,processor core, or similar circuit that monitors the status of thesensors, collects data from the sensors 212, and/or processes data fromthe sensors 212 without requiring that the full processing system of thecomputing device 202 be awake and operating at full power. In variousembodiments, the in-container detection component 224 and/or on-bodydetection component 226 “wakes” the processing system periodically(e.g., ever thirty seconds, minute, or two minutes) to analyze the dataand information collected from the sensors 212 during the low-powermode. The low-power processor, co-processor, or processor core mayinstead or in addition operate in a secure mode such that data collectedfrom the sensors is protected from malicious attacks and gathering fromother applications executing on the smartphone or other computingsystems.

In some embodiments, the user authentication component 222, 322 locks adisplay of the computing device 200 and/or trusted device 300 if thenetwork connection therebetween is lost. In other embodiments, the userauthentication component 222, 322 employs a grace period if the networkconnection therebetween (e.g., a BLUETOOTH connection) is disrupted,disabled, or otherwise becomes available to thereby tolerate an erratic,noisy, or otherwise imperfect connection. For example, if the networkconnection is lost, the user authentication component 222, 322 may waita certain amount of time (e.g., 100 milliseconds, one second, or fiveseconds) for the connection to re-establish itself. If the connection isnot re-established after the grace period expires, the computing device200 and/or trusted device 300 is locked.

FIG. 4 is an illustration 400 of a computing device 402 in an unlockedstate 404 and in a locked state 406. In the unlocked state 404, thedisplay 408 displays user-interface elements such as icons 410,applications, personal information, etc. as configured by the user. Inthe locked state 406, some or all of the user-interface elements areobscured, and instead an authentication prompt 412 is displayed. In thisembodiment, the authentication prompted is an access-code prompt, andthe authentication information is a series of digits. While the userinteracts with the computing device 402, it remains in the unlockedstate 404. If, however, the user does not interact with the computingdevice 402 for a length of time exceeding the time-out time of thecomputing device 200, the display 408 transitions to the locked state406. If the user enters the series of digits into the prompt 412 thatmatches a previously set series of digits, the display 408 of thecomputing device 402 transitions back to the unlocked state 404. Inaccordance with the embodiments described herein, the display 408 of thecomputing device 402 may remain in the unlocked state 404 even if theuser is inactive with respect to the computing device 402 for a timelonger than the time-out time of the computing device 402 if the user isactive with respect to a trusted device.

Operations for the above embodiments may be further described withreference to the following figures and accompanying examples. Some ofthe figures may include a logic flow. Although such figures presentedherein may include a particular logic flow, it can be appreciated thatthe logic flow merely provides an example of how the generalfunctionality as described herein can be implemented. Further, the givenlogic flow does not necessarily have to be executed in the orderpresented unless otherwise indicated. In addition, the given logic flowmay be implemented by a hardware element, a software element executed bya processor, or any combination thereof. The embodiments are not limitedin this context.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram 500 in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein. The user is authenticated (502) to the computingdevice and, thereafter, a display of the computing device istransitioned from a locked to an unlocked state. It is determined (504)that a trusted device has received input from the user within ascreen-lock-timeout time of the computing device. It is determined (506)that the computing device is disposed within a container based at leastin part on data received from the in-container detection sensor. It isdetermined (508) that the computing device is disposed on the body ofthe user based at least in part on data received from the on-bodydetection sensor. Based on the trusted device receiving input from theuser within a screen-lock-timeout time of the computing device, thecomputing device being disposed within a container, and the computingdevice being disposed on the body of the user the unlocked state of thedisplay of the computing device is maintained (510) for a length of timegreater than the screen-lock-timeout time.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram 600 in accordance with embodimentsdisclosed herein. A user is unauthenticated (602) to a device 602 suchas a smartphone or tablet computer. The user may authenticate (604A) tothe device directly by entering authentication information into thedevice and/or by authenticating (604B) to a nearby trusted device, suchas a desktop computer or laptop computer. Once authenticated to thedevice, the device gathers (606) use and sensor data over time (e.g., 30seconds) before proceeding through the flow 600. If the device is in use(608) (i.e., the user is interacting with the device by, e.g., providinginput, the flow returns to the data-gathering step (606). If, on theother hand, the device is not in use, a nearby trusted device is checkedfor recent use (610); recent use may be use within two minutes, and“nearby” may be defined as within fifteen feet. If the nearby trusteddevice is in use, the flow 600 returns to the data-gathering step (606).If, however, the nearby trusted device is not in use, the device ischecked (612) to see if it is in a container such as a pocket. If it isnot, and if the device is detected on the body of the user (614A) withina time “time1” (e.g., 30 seconds), the flow 600 returns to thedata-gathering step (606). If it is in a container, and if the device isdetected on the body of the user (614B) within a time “time2” (e.g.,five minutes), the flow 600 returns to the data-gathering step (606). Ifthe device is not on the body of the user within either of the timestime1 or time2 in the preceding steps, the user is unauthenticated (616)to the device, and a display of the device transitions from an unlockedstate to a locked state.

For example, corresponding to step (610), if the device is not in usebecause, for example, the user placed the device on his or her desk nextto the nearby trusted device or in a pocket, the device may remainunlocked past the time-out time of the device if the user interacts withthe nearby trusted device within a given time-out time of the device(e.g., two minutes). If, however, the device is not in use and thenearby trusted device is also not in use within the time-out time of thedevice (e.g., two minutes), the display of the device may not lock.Instead, the device is checked for in-container status (step 612) andthereafter checked for an on-body state (steps 614A and 614B). If thedevice is in a container such as a pocket, the device waits five minutesbefore locking to detect the on-body state; if the on-body state isdetected during this time, the display of the device remains unlocked.If the device is not in a container such as a pocket, the device waits30 seconds before locking to detect the on-body state; if the on-bodystate is detected during this time, the display of the device remainsunlocked.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a storage medium 700. Storage medium700 may comprise any non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ormachine-readable storage medium, such as an optical, magnetic orsemiconductor storage medium. In various embodiments, storage medium 700may comprise an article of manufacture. In some embodiments, storagemedium 700 may store computer-executable instructions, such ascomputer-executable instructions to implement logic flows 500, 600described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Examples of acomputer-readable storage medium or machine-readable storage medium mayinclude any tangible media capable of storing electronic data, includingvolatile memory or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removablememory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeablememory, and so forth. Examples of computer-executable instructions mayinclude any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code,interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code,object-oriented code, visual code, and the like. The embodiments are notlimited in this context.

Example 1 is an apparatus for maintaining a user authentication statuscomprising a processor circuit; a network interface to exchange datacommunications with a trusted device; an activity-detection component todetermine whether the trusted device has received user input within ascreen-lock-timeout time of the apparatus; an in-container detectioncomponent to determine whether the apparatus is disposed within acontainer based at least in part on data received from an in-containerdetection sensor; an on-body detection component to determine whetherthe apparatus is in an on-body state based at least in part on datareceived from an on-body detection sensor; and a user-authenticationcomponent to authenticate the user to the apparatus and thereaftertransition a display of the apparatus from a locked state to an unlockedstate and to maintain the unlocked state of the display of the apparatusfor a length of time greater than the screen-lock-timeout time based ona determination that the trusted device has received user input userwithin the screen-lock-timeout time of the apparatus, a determinationthat the apparatus is disposed within the container, and a determinationthat the apparatus is in the on-body state.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of example 1, where the networkinterface comprises a direct network link between the apparatus and thetrusted device or an indirect network link comprising a network device.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of example 1, where the on-bodydetection component is further configured to determine that theapparatus is not in the on-body state based at least in part on datareceived from the on-body detection sensor and, thereafter, totransition the display of the apparatus from the unlocked state to thelocked state.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of example 1, where the lengths oftime spent to determine that the trusted device has received input fromthe user, to determine that the apparatus is disposed within acontainer, and to determine that the apparatus is in the on-body stateare predetermined or developed by machine learning.

Example 5 includes the subject matter of example 1, where thein-container detection component is configured to distinguish theon-body state from the apparatus being disposed face-down on a surface.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of example 1, where theuser-authentication component is configured to determine that theapparatus and trusted device are within a distance of each other and totransition the display of the apparatus or trusted device from a lockedstate to an unlocked state.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of example 6, the distancecomprising a first distance in a trusted environment and a seconddistance shorter than the first distance in an untrusted environment.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of example 1, where theuser-authentication component is configured to transition the display ofthe apparatus from the unlocked state to the locked state if a distancebetween the apparatus and the trusted device exceeds a threshold, if anacceleration of the apparatus exceeds a threshold, or if a networkconnection between the apparatus and the trusted device is lost.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of example 1, where the apparatuscomprises a smartphone and the trusted device comprises a desktopcomputer.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of example 1, where theuser-authentication component is configured to collect data for anamount of time before re-determining that the trusted device hasreceived input from the user within the screen-lock-timeout time of thecomputing device.

Example 11 includes the subject matter of example 10, where the amountof time comprises 30 seconds.

Example 12 includes the subject matter of example 1, where theuser-authentication component configured to determine that the computingdevice is disposed on the body of the user is further configured tocollect data from the on-body detection sensor for an amount of time.

Example 13 includes the subject matter of example 12, where the amountof time is five minutes.

Example 14 includes the subject matter of example 1, where theuser-authentication component is configured to determine that thecomputing device is not disposed within the container based at least inpart on data received from the in-container detection sensor and,thereafter, to determine within an amount of time that the computingdevice is disposed on the body of the user based at least in part ondata received from the on-body detection sensor.

Example 15 includes the subject matter of example 14, where the amountof time comprises 30 seconds.

Example 16 includes the subject matter of example 1, where thein-container detection sensor comprises a proximity, light, ororientation sensor.

Example 17 includes the subject matter of example 1, where the on-bodydetection sensor comprises an orientation, motion, or accelerationsensor.

Example 18 includes the subject matter of example 1, where the containercomprises a pocket, purse, or bag.

Example 19 is a computer-implemented method for maintaining a userauthentication status comprising authenticating a user to the computingdevice and thereafter transitioning a display of the computing devicefrom a locked state to an unlocked state; determining that a trusteddevice in electronic communication with the computing device hasreceived input from the user within a screen-lock-timeout time of thecomputing device; determining that the computing device is disposedwithin a container based at least in part on data received from anin-container detection sensor; determining that the computing device isin an on-body state based at least in part on data received from anon-body detection sensor; and maintaining the unlocked state of thedisplay of the computing device for a length of time greater than thescreen-lock-timeout time based on the trusted device receiving inputfrom the user within the screen-lock-timeout time of the computingdevice, the computing device being disposed within the container, andthe computing device being in the on-body state.

Example 20 includes the subject matter of example 19, further comprisingcommunicating between the computing device and trusted device using anetwork interface comprising a direct network link between the computingdevice and the trusted device or an indirect network link comprising anetwork device.

Example 21 includes the subject matter of example 19, further comprisingdetermining that the computing device is not in the on-body state basedat least in part on data received from the on-body detection sensor and,thereafter, transitioning the display of the computing device from theunlocked state to the locked state.

Example 22 includes the subject matter of example 19, where the lengthsof time spent to determine that the trusted device has received inputfrom the user, to determine that the computing device is disposed withina container, and to determine that the computing device is in theon-body state are predetermined or developed by machine learning.

Example 23 includes the subject matter of example 19, further comprisingdistinguishing the on-body state from the computing device beingdisposed face-down on a surface.

Example 24 includes the subject matter of example 19, further comprisingdetermining that the computing device and trusted device are within adistance of each other and transitioning the display of the computingdevice or trusted device from a locked state to an unlocked state.

Example 25 includes the subject matter of example 24, where the distancecomprises a first distance in a trusted environment and a seconddistance shorter than the first distance in an untrusted environment.

Example 26 includes the subject matter of example 19, further comprisingtransitioning the display of the computing device from the unlockedstate to the locked state if a distance between the computing device andthe trusted device exceeds a threshold, if an acceleration of thecomputing device exceeds a threshold, or if a network connection betweenthe computing device and the trusted device is lost.

Example 27 includes the subject matter of example 19, further comprisingcollecting data for an amount of time before re-determining that thetrusted device has received input from the user within thescreen-lock-timeout time of the computing device.

Example 28 includes the subject matter of example 10, where the amountof time comprises 30 seconds.

Example 29 includes the subject matter of example 19, further comprisingcollecting data from the on-body detection sensor for an amount of time.

Example 30 includes the subject matter of example 29, where the amountof time comprises five minutes.

Example 31 includes the subject matter of example 19, further comprisingdetermining that the computing device is not disposed within thecontainer based at least in part on data received from the in-containerdetection sensor and, thereafter, determining within an amount of timethat the computing device is disposed on the body of the user based atleast in part on data received from the on-body detection sensor.

Example 32 includes the subject matter of example 31, where the amountof time comprises 30 seconds.

Example 33 includes the subject matter of example 19, where thein-container detection sensor comprises a proximity, light, ororientation sensor.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of example 19, where the on-bodydetection sensor comprises an orientation, motion, or accelerationsensor.

Example 35 includes the subject matter of example 19, where thecontainer comprises a pocket, purse, or bag.

Example 36 is a tangible machine-readable storage medium comprisinginstructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause theprocessing device to: authenticate a user to the computing device andthereafter transition a display of the computing device from a lockedstate to an unlocked state; determine that the trusted device hasreceived input from the user within a screen-lock-timeout time of thecomputing device; determine that the computing device is disposed withina container based at least in part on data received from an in-containerdetection sensor; determine that the computing device is in an on-bodystate based at least in part on data received from an on-body detectionsensor; and maintain the unlocked state of the display of the computingdevice for a length of time greater than the screen-lock-timeout timebased on the trusted device receiving input from the user within thescreen-lock-timeout time of the computing device, the computing devicebeing disposed within the container, and the computing device being inthe on-body state.

Example 37 includes the subject matter of example 36, the instructionsfurther comprising communicating between the computing device andtrusted device using a network interface comprising a direct networklink between the computing device and the trusted device or an indirectnetwork link comprising a network device.

Example 38 includes the subject matter of example 36, the instructionsfurther causing the processing device to determine that the computingdevice is not in the on-body state based at least in part on datareceived from the on-body detection sensor and, thereafter, transitionthe display of the computing device from the unlocked state to thelocked state.

Example 39 includes the subject matter of example 36, where the lengthsof time spent to determine that the trusted device has received inputfrom the user, to determine that the computing device is disposed withina container, and to determine that the computing device is in theon-body state are predetermined or developed by machine learning.

Example 40 includes the subject matter of example 36, the instructionsfurther causing the processing device to distinguish the on-body statefrom the computing device being disposed face-down on a surface.

Example 41 includes the subject matter of example 36, the instructionsfurther causing the processing device to determine that the computingdevice and trusted device are within a distance of each other andtransition the display of the computing device or trusted device from alocked state to an unlocked state.

Example 42 includes the subject matter of example 41, where the distancecomprises a first distance in a trusted environment and a seconddistance shorter than the first distance in an untrusted environment.

Example 43 includes the subject matter of example 36, the instructionsfurther causing the processing device to transition the display of thecomputing device from the unlocked state to the locked state if adistance between the computing device and the trusted device exceeds athreshold, if an acceleration of the computing device exceeds athreshold, or if a network connection between the computing device andthe trusted device is lost.

Example 44 includes the subject matter of example 36, the instructionsfurther causing the processing device to maintain the unlocked state ofthe display further comprising software instructions to collect data foran amount of time before re-determining that the trusted device hasreceived input from the user within the screen-lock-timeout time of thecomputing device.

Example 45 includes the subject matter of example 44, where the amountof time comprises 30 seconds.

Example 46 includes the subject matter of example 36, the instructionsfurther causing the processing device to determine that the computingdevice is disposed on the body of the user further comprisinginstructions to collect data from the on-body detection sensor for anamount of time.

Example 47 includes the subject matter of example 46, where the amountof time comprises five minutes.

Example 48 includes the subject matter of example 36, the instructionsfurther causing the processing device to determine that the computingdevice is not disposed within the container based at least in part ondata received from the in-container detection sensor and, thereafter,determining within an amount of time that the computing device isdisposed on the body of the user based at least in part on data receivedfrom the on-body detection sensor.

Example 49 includes the subject matter of example 48, where the amountof time comprises 30 seconds.

Example 50 includes the subject matter of example 36, where thein-container detection sensor comprises a proximity, light, ororientation sensor.

Example 51 includes the subject matter of example claim 36, the on-bodydetection sensor comprising an orientation, motion, or accelerationsensor.

Example 52 includes the subject matter of example 36, where thecontainer comprises a pocket, purse, or bag.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “one embodiment”or “an embodiment” along with their derivatives. These terms mean that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Theappearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Further, some embodiments may be described using the expression“coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. These terms arenot necessarily intended as synonyms for each other. For example, someembodiments may be described using the terms “connected” and/or“coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physicalor electrical contact with each other. The term “coupled,” however, mayalso mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

It is emphasized that the Abstract of the Disclosure is provided toallow a reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technicaldisclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not beused to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen thatvarious features are grouped together in a single embodiment for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is notto be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimedembodiments require more features than are expressly recited in eachclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matterlies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thusthe following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which”are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“including” and “wherein,” respectively. Moreover, the terms “first,”“second,” “third,” and so forth, are used merely as labels, and are notintended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

What has been described above includes examples of the disclosedarchitecture. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one ofordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinationsand permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel architecture isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for maintaining a userauthentication status comprising: a processor circuit; a networkinterface to exchange data communications with a trusted device; anactivity-detection component to determine whether the trusted device hasreceived user input within a screen-lock-timeout time of the apparatus;an in-container detection component to determine whether the apparatusis disposed within a container based at least in part on data receivedfrom an in-container detection sensor; an on-body detection component todetermine whether the apparatus is in an on-body state based at least inpart on data received from an on-body detection sensor; and auser-authentication component to authenticate the user to the apparatusand thereafter transition a display of the apparatus from a locked stateto an unlocked state and to maintain the unlocked state of the displayof the apparatus for a length of time greater than thescreen-lock-timeout time based on a determination that the trusteddevice has received user input user within the screen-lock-timeout timeof the apparatus, a determination that the apparatus is disposed withinthe container, and a determination that the apparatus is in the on-bodystate.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, the network interface comprising adirect network link between the apparatus and the trusted device or anindirect network link comprising a network device.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, the on-body detection component further configured to determinethat the apparatus is not in the on-body state based at least in part ondata received from the on-body detection sensor and, thereafter, totransition the display of the apparatus from the unlocked state to thelocked state.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, the lengths of time spent todetermine that the trusted device has received input from the user, todetermine that the apparatus is disposed within a container, and todetermine that the apparatus is in the on-body state being predeterminedor developed by machine learning.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, thein-container detection component configured to distinguish the on-bodystate from the apparatus being disposed face-down on a surface.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, the user-authentication component configured todetermine that the apparatus and trusted device are within a distance ofeach other and to transition the display of the apparatus or trusteddevice from a locked state to an unlocked state.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, the distance comprising a first distance in a trustedenvironment and a second distance shorter than the first distance in anuntrusted environment.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, theuser-authentication component configured to transition the display ofthe apparatus from the unlocked state to the locked state if a distancebetween the apparatus and the trusted device exceeds a threshold, if anacceleration of the apparatus exceeds a threshold, or if a networkconnection between the apparatus and the trusted device is lost.
 9. Acomputer-implemented method for maintaining a user authentication statuscomprising: authenticating a user to the computing device and thereaftertransitioning a display of the computing device from a locked state toan unlocked state; determining that a trusted device in electroniccommunication with the computing device has received input from the userwithin a screen-lock-timeout time of the computing device; determiningthat the computing device is disposed within a container based at leastin part on data received from an in-container detection sensor;determining that the computing device is in an on-body state based atleast in part on data received from an on-body detection sensor; andmaintaining the unlocked state of the display of the computing devicefor a length of time greater than the screen-lock-timeout time based onthe trusted device receiving input from the user within thescreen-lock-timeout time of the computing device, the computing devicebeing disposed within the container, and the computing device being inthe on-body state.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9,further comprising communicating between the computing device andtrusted device using a network interface comprising a direct networklink between the computing device and the trusted device or an indirectnetwork link comprising a network device.
 11. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 9, further comprising determining that the computingdevice is not in the on-body state based at least in part on datareceived from the on-body detection sensor and, thereafter,transitioning the display of the computing device from the unlockedstate to the locked state.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim9, the lengths of time spent to determine that the trusted device hasreceived input from the user, to determine that the computing device isdisposed within a container, and to determine that the computing deviceis in the on-body state being predetermined or developed by machinelearning.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, furthercomprising distinguishing the on-body state from the computing devicebeing disposed face-down on a surface.
 14. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 9, further comprising determining that the computingdevice and trusted device are within a distance of each other andtransitioning the display of the computing device or trusted device froma locked state to an unlocked state.
 15. The computer-implemented methodof claim 14, the distance comprising a first distance in a trustedenvironment and a second distance shorter than the first distance in anuntrusted environment.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 9,further comprising transitioning the display of the computing devicefrom the unlocked state to the locked state if a distance between thecomputing device and the trusted device exceeds a threshold, if anacceleration of the computing device exceeds a threshold, or if anetwork connection between the computing device and the trusted deviceis lost.
 17. A tangible machine-readable storage medium comprisinginstructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause theprocessing device to: authenticate a user to the computing device andthereafter transition a display of the computing device from a lockedstate to an unlocked state; determine that the trusted device hasreceived input from the user within a screen-lock-timeout time of thecomputing device; determine that the computing device is disposed withina container based at least in part on data received from an in-containerdetection sensor; determine that the computing device is in an on-bodystate based at least in part on data received from an on-body detectionsensor; and maintain the unlocked state of the display of the computingdevice for a length of time greater than the screen-lock-timeout timebased on the trusted device receiving input from the user within thescreen-lock-timeout time of the computing device, the computing devicebeing disposed within the container, and the computing device being inthe on-body state.
 18. The tangible machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 17, the instructions further comprising communicating between thecomputing device and trusted device using a network interface comprisinga direct network link between the computing device and the trusteddevice or an indirect network link comprising a network device.
 19. Thetangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 17, the instructionsfurther causing the processing device to determine that the computingdevice is not in the on-body state based at least in part on datareceived from the on-body detection sensor and, thereafter, transitionthe display of the computing device from the unlocked state to thelocked state.
 20. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim17, the lengths of time spent to determine that the trusted device hasreceived input from the user, to determine that the computing device isdisposed within a container, and to determine that the computing deviceis in the on-body state being predetermined or developed by machinelearning.
 21. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 17,the instructions further causing the processing device to distinguishthe on-body state from the computing device being disposed face-down ona surface.
 22. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 17,the instructions further causing the processing device to determine thatthe computing device and trusted device are within a distance of eachother and transition the display of the computing device or trusteddevice from a locked state to an unlocked state.
 23. The tangiblemachine-readable storage medium of claim 22, the distance comprising afirst distance in a trusted environment and a second distance shorterthan the first distance in an untrusted environment.
 24. The tangiblemachine-readable storage medium of claim 17, the instructions furthercausing the processing device to transition the display of the computingdevice from the unlocked state to the locked state if a distance betweenthe computing device and the trusted device exceeds a threshold, if anacceleration of the computing device exceeds a threshold, or if anetwork connection between the computing device and the trusted deviceis lost.
 25. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 17,the instructions further causing the processing device to maintain theunlocked state of the display further comprising software instructionsto collect data for an amount of time before re-determining that thetrusted device has received input from the user within thescreen-lock-timeout time of the computing device.